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Structure: Usually humanoid, but variable
Avg. Height: 5-6 feet, but variable
Avg. Weight: 100-200 pounds, but variable
Genders: Normally two, Male and Female, but various fertile and infertile intersex forms have been documented. Most intersex forms are one-of-a-kind
Physical Features: In theory, identical to humans. However, Unica are HIGHLY variable in these regards
Skin Colors: All. Shades of brown are most common
Hair Colors: All
Eye Colors: All
Magic: Very high, but with lots of variability
Powers: Completely unpredictable
Intelligence: Average
Strength: Usually strong, but highly variable
Homeland: Solitudo Valley

Origins: The Unica are descended from nomads, who came from someplace unknown (probably Patrian humans), who settled in Solitudo Valley up to 20,000 years ago. They describe the homeland of their ancestors as an idyllic paradise, that they were forced to leave for some reason that is now unclear. These outcasts were probably the losers of a territory war, or the victims of a changing climate, who were forced to find new territory to settle in.

Solitudo Valley is populated by several different species of unicorns, which became the Unicas' primary food source. Unicorns have very powerful magic, which was then transferred to the bodies of the Unica who ate them. Over the course of thousands of years, this magic became inherited, with Unica children showing incredibly strong magical power from birth. They are now widely considered to be a separate species from their human ancestors, but scholars classify them as a mutated subspecies.

Unica mythology does not discuss the origin of the universe or anything in it. Most myths are simply fables devised to exlain the tenets of Unica culture.

Culture: The Unica are hunter-gatherers who live in small permanent settlements under the control of a chief. The position of chief is not hereditary. The unicorns of Solitudo Valley are prolific enough to survive and coexist with those who hunt them, and do not migrate, allowing the Unica to stay in one place, unlike their nomadic ancestors. Each Unica tribe hunts only one of the valley's many unicorn species, and only when necessary, to keep their populations from dwindling. The tribes are named for the unicorns they hunt:

The Violet Tribe- Highly skilled hunters, who train for speed in order to catch the agile violet-coated unicorns. This is the largest clan, and meets with outsiders most frequently. They live near the only mountain pass between the valley and the rest of Somnium. Aside from unicorns they eat native fruit and raw, wild cereal grains.

The Azure Tribe- The azure unicorns are slow and clumsy, leading the Azure Tribe to be less than perfect hunters. They live around a network of rivers, giving them an abundance of fish and even river dolphins in addition to unicorns. They eat meat almost exclusively, along with very sweet local fruits, leading to stockier Unica than the small, agile Violets.

The Poison Tribe- A minor subspecies of unicorn has adapted a defense against their hunters. The poison unicorns have highly toxic compounds in the bone of their horns, which poisons the water in their habitat. The Poison Tribe has figured out how to purify their water before they drink it, and continue to thrive. The other tribes view the Poisons with superstition, believing them to be walking dead, since they somehow survive drinking poison for their entire lives. Their worries may not be entirely unfounded- some small amount of poison must remain in the treated water, because Unica of the Poison Tribe are much paler and bonier than the other tribes. They supplement their meals with wild vegetables, mostly assorted greens, found in their territory.

The Feather Tribe- The Feathers hunt what is actually a hybrid species, the result of interbreeding between unicorns and pegasi in prehistoric times. Feather unicorns are not full pegacorns, instead having only a coating of down along their backs. Feather Tribe Unica often have small patches of feathers somewhere on their bodies, and their magic often incorporates feathers in some shape or form. They also hunt wild pheasants and gather berries.

Intermarriage between tribes is common. Because they are not in direct competition with each other for food, the tribes coexist in peace. The punishment for killing a unicorn belonging to another tribe is light.

Unica life is largely shaped by the powers they are born with. Normal human magic is undefined, and can be trained towards any use that the user wishes. Unica magic is highly specified and different for each individual. Each Unica individual has some specific power, which could be trained to have a wide range of uses, but is usually just trained enough to be controlled. Oftentimes, these powers are accompanied by some physical deformity. In some tribes, physical changes are accepted (nearly all members of the Feather Tribe have feathers), in others, they are considered unattractive flaws (physically unique members of the Azure Tribe are the most likely to be married off to other clans). The Violet Tribe goes as far as naming their children after the powers they display.

Allies and Enemies:

Humans- The Unica are considered to be Humans that have mutated into a subspecies, and thus are given hospitality that Patria has not extended towards any other race. Even the Elves are looked upon with some suspicion, but the Unica are considered brothers. Many Humans mistakenly believe that Unica is a state that any Human can achieve by simply drinking the blood of the unicorns of Solitudo Valley. However, the Unica gained their powers through generations of contact with unicorn magic, and no Human has ever been able to turn into a Unica.
Solitudo Valley is considered to be a 'little brother' to Patria, more like a backwoods province than its own nation. Human merchants enter the valley without fear, and certain adventurous aristocrats consider it an exciting and exotic vacation spot. In general, most Patrians look apon the Unica culture as an antiquated, unevolved offshoot of ancient Patrian culture, and the Unica are just hillbillies with powers. The Unica think that the Humans are very nice, but strange. Few Unica ever consider leaving Solitudo Valley, and they do not concern themselves with the goings-on of the Humans that don't directly affect them.

Elfs- The Elfs have, on occasion, stumbled into Solitudo Valley, not always on purpose. The Unica know of their existence, but treat them as if they were simply funny-looking Humans. The Unica often have pointed ears and have been told that they are Humans, so they assume that the same applies to the Elfs. The Elfs consider the Unica to be a separate race from the Humans, and are more approving of the low-tech, tribal Unica way of life than urban Patrian culture.

Faerys- Faerys are a part of Unica folklore, but take a backseat to the unicorns that the Unica depend on for their survival. Faerys are not considered to be very powerful or noteworthy, but are given considerable respect nonetheless. The Faerys like the Unica but aren't quite sure what to make of them. They call Unica magic 'Faery powers' and sometimes assume that Unica are the product of a Faery and Human marriage. The two races coexist peacefully but rarely do their paths cross.

Nagas- Neither the Unica nor the Nagas are prone to leave their respective homelands, and thus have had very few encounters with each other. Naga dragonskin often finds its way to Solitudo through Human merchants, and Unica hunting gear has been seen wielded by Naga warriors, but the two races don't have very much knowledge of each other.

Po-Kai- The Po-Kai rarely leave their mountains for anything, and the Unica rarely travel far from their valley. Thus, the two races only know of each other through the accounts of Human merchants. The Po-Kai are horticulturalists living at high elevations, and the lowlander Unica are primarily hunters. The two cultures seem to be exact opposites and would probably not mingle even if they lived in close proximity to each other. Because both cultures have a tendency to mind their own business, they would probably not have any major problems with each other.

Ghoblings- Sometimes Hobghoblings travel with Patrian missionaries to Solitudo, attempting to convert the Unica to the Patrian religion. The Unica therefore assume that all Ghoblings are simply mini-humans. The Ghoblings of Maligo have never encountered the Unica, and if they did, would probably treat them no different than they treat the Humans.